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NCCS to Recognize Julia H. Rowland, PhD and Tom Smith, MD with 2020 Ellen L. Stovall Award

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Stovall AwardNCCS is pleased to announce the 2020 winners of the Ellen L. Stovall Award for Innovation in Patient-Centered Cancer Care are Julia H. Rowland, PhD and Thomas J. Smith, MD. They will be recognized at the 2020 Virtual Stovall Award Reception on Wednesday, November 18 at 7:00 p.m. ET.

The esteemed selection committee chose from among a highly qualified group of nominees who embody the essence of the award and Ellen’s passion and advocacy for patient-centered cancer care. Dr. Rowland and Dr. Smith are experts in their fields who are continuing to enhance the lives of cancer survivors in our country.

And now, for the first time ever, we invite you to attend the virtual awards ceremony to recognize the importance of these innovative pioneers. Please register for the event and invite colleagues, friends, and family.

 

Meet the Awardees

Julia H. Rowland, PhD

Julia H. Rowland, PhD“Across her career as a clinician, researcher, and teacher in the area of psychosocial aspects of cancer, Dr. Rowland has promoted patient-centeredness, engaged patients, families, and caregivers to inform the process of improving the delivery of quality cancer care and collaborated effectively with others to improve quality within the cancer care system.”

— Deborah K. Mayer, PhD, RN, AOCN, FAAN
Frances Hill Fox Distinguished Professor
Director of Cancer Survivorship
UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center

Julia H. Rowland, PhD is a long-time clinician, researcher, and teacher in the area of psychosocial aspects of cancer. She has worked with and conducted competitively funded research among both pediatric and adult cancer survivors, and published broadly in psycho-oncology.

She was recruited to the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to become the first, full-time Director of the Office of Cancer Survivorship (OCS). After 18 years in this role, Dr. Rowland retired from service at the NCI in September 2017 and assumed the role of Senior Strategic Advisor at Smith Center for Healing and the Arts, a small non-profit organization that has been providing integrative support services to cancer patients and their families for over twenty years.

Thomas J. Smith, MD

Thomas J. Smith, MD“Dr. Smith provides total and compassionate care to improve the quality of life of all suffering from their illness. He creates a calm environment which is unhurried, allowing the patient to be empowered to have critical conversations. Dr. Smith has taught hundreds how to improve their own skills and thereby the quality of care they deliver.”

— Patrick J. Coyne, MSN, ACHPN, ACNS-BC, FAAN, FPCN
Palliative Care Director
Medical University of South Carolina

Thomas J. Smith, M.D., is a professor of oncology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, director of Palliative Medicine for Johns Hopkins Medicine and the Harry J. Duffey Family Professor of Palliative Care. He is a medical oncologist and a palliative care specialist with a lifelong interest in better symptom management, communication, and improving access to high quality affordable care. Dr. Smith began Johns Hopkins’ hospital-wide palliative care consult service as well as an inpatient unit, and he is dedicated to accelerating palliative care research and education.

Dr. Smith is also a prostate cancer survivor, experiencing first hand surgery, recurrence, “salvage” radiation therapy and androgen deprivation therapy with many significant side effects. He knows all too well the experience of living and working while waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Ellen L. Stovall Award Reception Details

The honorees will be recognized at the Virtual Stovall Award Reception on Wednesday, November 18. The award presentation is open to the public and will feature videos highlighting the honorees and their work.

Wednesday, November 18, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. ET

 
REGISTER FOR THE VIRTUAL STOVALL AWARD RECEPTION » 

American Society of Clinical OncologyThe Stovall Award is given annually to two recipients who have improved the care and lives of cancer survivors and their families — one health care provider and one patient advocate or advocacy organization. The health care provider award is co-presented by the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
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NCCS black lives matter statement

Black Lives Matter

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Black Lives Matter

We see you. We hear you. We stand with you.

The National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) is saddened and dismayed by the murder of George Floyd and many others who have suffered as a result of racial injustice. We condemn racial injustice and support our Black colleagues — survivors, advocates, caregivers, providers, and researchers. We pledge to do our part to fight inequities in the health care system that are systemic and centuries old.

NCCS represents the millions of Americans who live with, through and beyond a cancer diagnosis. But the cancer experience is not the same for everyone. Black Americans with cancer, as well as other people of color, experience greater obstacles to cancer prevention, screening, treatment, and clinical trial participation, as well as a host of other challenges. As a result of these systemic barriers, Black cancer survivors die of cancer at higher rates than other groups. That is unacceptable.

As National Cancer Survivors Day approaches on Sunday, June 7, we will continue our public policy advocacy to address racial inequities in cancer survivorship with a renewed commitment and rigor.

Change starts with each one of us. We’re ready to listen, learn, and take action.

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Remembering Survivorship Leader Elizabeth “Betsy” Clark, PhD

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Elizabeth J. Clark

Elizabeth J. Clark, PhD, ACSW, MPH

We at NCCS are devastated to report the passing of Dr. Elizabeth “Betsy” Clark on Saturday, May 23, 2020.Betsy was a true champion for cancer survivors. Her leadership, service, and contributions to NCCS and the field of cancer survivorship were vast. She was formerly Executive Vice President of NCCS, and the COO for THE MARCH…Coming Together to Conquer Cancer, which culminated in a national rally in Washington, DC in September 1998 that brought more than 100,000 supporters to the National Mall.

She was the author or co-author of many NCCS publications and resources, such as the Cancer Survival Toolbox; Imperatives for Quality Cancer Care: Access, Advocacy, Action, and Accountability; You Have the Right to be Hopeful; Teamwork: The Cancer Patient’s Guide To Talking With Your Doctor; Self-Advocacy: A Cancer Survivor’s Handbook; and many others.

Betsy Clark (right) at THE MARCH in September 1998.

A social worker, she was the longtime CEO of the National Association of Social Workers from 2001-2013 and a board member of numerous non-profit organizations.Betsy described herself as a “hope advocate” after hearing from cancer survivors about their experiences. Her most recent book, published in 2017, was entitled Choose Hope (Always Choose Hope). A quote from her book:

Hope is powerful—more powerful than fear or despair or even grief. Your hope always stands waiting, ready to help you cope and move forward. No matter how difficult or dire the situation, hope is possible and necessary. Never give in to hopelessness. Instead, choose hope. Always choose hope.Elizabeth J. Clark

We will share additional reflections on Dr. Clark’s legacy in the coming days.

If you wish to share a remembrance of Betsy, please do so in the comment section below.

Link to Elizabeth J. Clark’s Obituary »

Ellen L. Stovall, Fitzhugh Mullan, and Betsy Clark

Elizabeth J. Clark (right) at an event in the early 90s with Then-NCCS President Ellen L. Stovall (left) and NCCS Co-Founder Fitzhugh Mullan (center).

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Guest Post by Elizabeth J. Clark: Self-Advocacy is Critical to Quality Cancer Care

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2020 NCCS Elevate Ambassadors Selected to Improve Survivorship Care in Local Communities

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Elevating SurvivorshipThe National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) is proud to announce 14 patient leaders selected to serve as Ambassadors for the 2020 Elevating Survivorship program.

Elevate Ambassadors will receive support, mentorship, networking opportunities, and virtual training from NCCS to develop and execute a plan of action to improve survivorship care in their community — whether for a hospital, oncology practice, community-based organization, or virtual community.

This year’s Elevate Ambassadors are:

Joli Bartell  |  Woodinville, WA
Woodrow Brokenburr  |  Agoura Hills, CA
Jennifer Campisano, JD  |  Phoenix, AZ
Crystal Champion, MD, PT, DPT, CLT-ALM, DN  |  Duluth, GA
Lesley Glenn  |  Central Point, OR
Kimberly Harrison  |  Bowie, MD
Nancy Howe  |  Phoenix, AZ
Wenora Johnson  |  Joliet, IL
Joslyn McArdle  |  Wynantskill, NY
Debbie Setuain  |  Sunny Isles Beach, FL
Raquel Smith  |  Hoover, AZ
Susan Strong  |  Firestone, CO
Amy LeAlice Oliver Steinkuhl, MA  |  Wilmore, KY
Christi Turnage, MSN, RN  |  Madison, MS

Elevate Ambassadors met virtually on May 20-21, 2020 to network and collaborate on local program strategies and development.

“I found the Elevating Survivorship program to be extremely supportive, inclusive, and enlightening. Meeting so many smart, talented, driven advocates was very inspiring,” said a 2019 Elevate Ambassador.

“With nearly 17 million cancer survivors in the U.S., there is a pressing need for local mentorship, expertise, and support from experienced patient advocates who can provide relatable insight for cancer survivors in their community. We anticipate the 2020 Elevate Ambassadors achieving this,” said NCCS Vice President of External Affairs, Elena Jeannotte.

Learn more about Elevating Survivorship »

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Grant funding for Elevating Survivorship provided by: Bristol-Myers Squibb, Janssen Oncology, Pharmacyclics, Eisai and Takeda Oncology.

NCCS News Cancer Policy Matters

NCCS Project Aims to Gain Cancer Survivors’ Insights on Telehealth

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NCCS LogoThis month, the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) launched a project to identify and share cancer patients’ and survivors’ perspectives on telehealth in cancer care.

Regulatory, societal and practice changes associated with the COVID-19 pandemic have led to an increased use of telehealth, including in various aspects of cancer care. In this rapidly changing environment, there has been little opportunity to gain insight and direction from people with cancer regarding the feasibility and acceptability of telehealth for cancer care.

NCCS will engage patients and survivors to articulate patient needs and perspectives for effective use of telehealth in cancer care, to improve clinical practice, educate cancer survivors and their families, and inform public policy. Goals of the project include the following:

  • Obtain direction from cancer patients and survivors about how to maximize the benefits of telehealth. At the same time, obtain feedback from cancer providers.
  • Create resources for oncology practices on how to address patient barriers and increase the effectiveness of telehealth visits, and for patients and families about what to expect from telehealth visits and how to prepare for those visits.
  • Develop and disseminate a white paper with policy recommendations from a patient perspective and engage in policy advocacy.

Initial findings from the project will be available by the end of June.

NCCS is a nonprofit patient advocacy organization with a mission to advocate for quality cancer care for everyone touched by cancer.

NCCS thanks Pfizer, Inc. for their support of this important initiative.

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